As the daughter of immigrants from Asia, a previous ex-pat in the Middle East, and a friend of refugees, I’ve seen how significant cross-cultural moves can be. In Ruth 1:6–18, we find two vulnerable, seemingly insignificant widows with bleak social standing starting the trek to a new country. What begins as a story of survival becomes a display of God’s covenant faithfulness to His people.
Naomi and Ruth’s story resembles Israel’s, as they seek to survive a famine, make an exodus to the promised land, and leave behind Moab and its gods. Ruth leaving Moab pointed back to Abraham, who left his people and gods to follow the one true God (Genesis 12:1–4).
Again and again in today’s reading, the phrases “return” and “go back” amplify God’s clarion call to repent. A hardened Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to repent backward, away from God. But humble Ruth repented by turning to a people, place, and God who weren’t her own (Ruth 1:16–18). The story of Ruth teaches us that hardships are opportunities to turn to God in faith.
Most of us haven’t had to uproot our lives for survival like Ruth and Naomi, but we were all born spiritually displaced. Whatever passport you hold, neighborhood you live in, or income bracket you belong to, you were a citizen in the land of the spiritually dead. But God didn’t leave us there. Like Ruth, we’ve received the gracious help of Jacob’s God (Psalm 146:5).
We were without hope and God in this world, “foreigners to the covenants of promise” until Jesus brought us near (Ephesians 2:12–13). He turns us away from our old ways to cling to him. He gives us a new heart, new citizenship, new people, a new home, and the power to keep turning to Him every day.
God used Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi to fulfill His covenant promises—promises to crush the power of sin and death, bless all nations, provide a perfect Redeemer, and establish the reign of a forever King. Ruth’s simple obedience displays God’s tender heart for widows, the oppressed, the hungry, and the sojourner (Psalm 146:7–9). As His people, we must strive to have the same heart.
Ruth vowed that only death would separate her from Naomi. God’s Word says nothing can separate us from the love of Christ—not affliction, distress, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword (Romans 8:35–37). This should comfort us as God’s exiles who are sojourning through this weary world. May our hearts flood with praise for His good and steadfast love which sent a Redeemer to make the God of Ruth our God as well.
Just found She Reads Truth and am loving ❤️ all of the studies and pod casts.
I loved how the Father’s heart for the widow, the oppressed, the fatherless, the hungry, and the displaced was displayed in Ruth’s humble choice to remain with Naomi. And then how we should have that same heart where we are today ♥️
I love the idea that Naomi tried to get them to relent away from God much like the world does to us. But Ruth said no I’m not returning to that life.
I feel this, sister ♥️
This passage really spoke to me. It ministerd to me in such a way its hard to explain. I can relate to Naomi and Ruth. Naomi took great loss and didn’t want to be a burden to her daughter- in – laws. Ruth left every thing behind and everything she knew and made a new family with Naomi and her son but the most important thing was a relationship with God. She could not turn away from God cause she knew that even though Naomi’s faith was shaken due to the distress of loss she still stood by Naomi’s side. There are times in my life where I was bitter from loss and felt like God had left me or cursed me but I have a brother in Christ that would always encourage me that God is still faithful and God can restore and do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever hope for or ask for. I was homeless I felt like God had left me but he’s restored me. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Ruth loyalty is unmatched even in the midst of a storm she stood strong and stayed with Naomi and trusted that God would provide. I thank God for just being God. Thank you for this passage.
I pray to have Ruth’s faith, loyalty and goodness. I am in a season of being completely displaced in more ways than one.. I know that the Lord will be with me in my new home and that he will direct my steps in my new city.. I pray that his blessings and provision will find me here. I have also felt like Naomi, where so many bad things have happened to me that I have questioned if the Lord has gone out against me.. but I know the true answer is to draw closer to God! “If we return to him, his hand will go out for us again!” Amen Lord Jesus!
Enjoying the study thus far!
I think it is a dangerous assumption to state that Orpah was being instructed by Naomi to “ repent backward, away from God.” I think it bold and full of faith to let Orpah go back to the home of her family, and I don’t think it is explicitly stated enough to make the assumption that she was turning away from God, rather she may not have even known God at all. All we know is that Ruth has heard of God and chose to believe in Him.
This is so timely to be reading Ruth!
My husband and I are sojourners, & have been for 7 yrs. I have 1st hand experienced the faithfulness of God towards us! But….I have also experienced the love & care from those of where we’ve lived, Asia & Europe! The question to myself…as stated so clearly in the devotion is, ‘Am I doing the same?’ I want to!